Mitch Marner gets caught into Mikko Rantanen’s monster rumour

Most rumours have been linked to Mikko Rantanen this past days, even though he was traded by the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night. The star forward is set to become a free agent this summer and has already lined up tons of suitors for his next deal. According to Mark Lazerus of the Athletic, the Chicago Blackhawks are serious about courting Rantanen ahead of free agency, but the insider also believes the Hawks will go after Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“As for Marner, the usual NHL inertia gives Toronto the advantage — and the Maple Leafs do have some cap flexibility, especially if they let Tavares walk. But if Marner’s looking to be the alpha somewhere, Chicago could be an intriguing option.”

Concluding his article with: “Or maybe the next time the Blackhawks are involved in one of these mega transactions, it’ll be their logo front and center.”

It’s true that the Blackhawks did not end up looking good in the three-team deal that sent not only Rantanen to the Hurricanes, but Taylor Hall as well. However, if it can lead to two superstars coming to Chicago, I’m sure fans will be forgiving.

Eligible to sign a contract extension since July 1, Marner continues to play in the final season of his current six-year, $65.4 million contract. The Leafs’ forward is hoping to stay put, but so was Rantanen… and so fans are beginning to wonder if he could end up getting trade ahead of the March 7 deadline and end up as a free agent this summer, perhaps signing in Chicago as Lazerus hinted to.

I guess we will have a better idea as the weeks ahead of the deadline unfold and what bold moves are made across the NHL.